Laundry sorting means



y 2, 1929- T. G. CLEAVER 1,719,423

' LAUNDRY SORTING MEANS Filed Feb. 9, 1927 a Sheets-Sheet l Tlwburzz 6i (Zeal '01:

Jul 2, 1929. T. G. CLEAVEl LAUNDRY SORTING MEANS Filed Feb. 9, 1927 5 sheetssheet 2 k Thobmm (Z dear/er 55% M attozmaq; 2

y 2, 1929- T. G. CLEAVER 1.719.423

' LAUNDRY SORTING MEANS I Filed Feb. 9, 1927 3 sheetg-sheet 3 axiom La Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

THOBURN e. CLEAVER, or- JAMAICA, NEW YORK.

LAUTNTDBY SOR'IING MEANS.

i i Application filed February 9, 1927. Serial No. 167,058.

The object of my invention is to facilitate and render more effective'than heretofore, the sorting, and sub-classification of goods and articles as received and treated in commercial laundries by affording improved means of manipulation in such manner as to practically eliminate danger of admixture of pieces so called, lack of identification of ownership, and confusion and loss incidental to prior systems and appliances,-the invention involving both method and apparatus as hereinafter fully'set forth.

In order to afford a clearunderstanding of the prior state of the art, and the advantages attained thereover by my laundry system, it may be stated that, within recent years, the higher grade laundries have developed, almost to exclusion of all other methods, the method of washing soiled clothes in nets. These nets are composed of woven cords of strong cotton meshed similar to fish nets and are shaped like the ordinary burlap bag, with an open top. The trend in laundering has been steadily toward takingthe entire washing of a customer, packed indiscriminately as to classification, in a large bundle; washing and ironing the lot and deliveringthe clothes to the customer in a ready to wear condition. The average laundry bundle is composed of pieces of different colors, of different material, of pieces which require specialtreatment" such as starching, etc.- It is obvious that all these different kinds of pieces have to be handled each in a different manner. One customers-laundry may be classified into perhaps six or eight different types of w'ork each of which requires separate treatment. The laundryman therefore finds it necessary to sort over each bundle of customers laundry and split up the entire bundle into such different classification as to give each the proper treatment. The use of the net as a container for these classifications is almost indispensable, because it eliminates the objectionable marks by which'in the past the different articles were distinguished as to the owner; and because in it may be placed one classification of one customers work,,and this not may be handled throughoutthe laundry in the same manner as nets of the same classification of many other customers work, i. e., they may all be washed together, extracted together, etc., always maintaining their individuality, and then ironed separately, etc.

To further this process, and to maintain accuracy,v an identification system is indispensable. The usual method is to use ordi-- nary safety pms, of a largesize, upon which a number is stamped, or some other "distinfitted in their proper places in the tray, thus collecting all classifications of one customers work into one bundle again, for delivery to the customer. If a pin be missing from the tray, then a classification is missing and the bundle may not bewrappedfor delivery until this pin and the accompanying classification of laundry work appears. i 7

One of the greatest-faults which is charged against the laundry is the factthat one customers work ismixed with that of another customers work; that a shortage will occur in a customers'work; or that the customer may receive articles not his own.

It would appear that with all the careful identification systems used, as already outlined, this would be practically eliminated,- yet we have the human element and the tendency toward carelessness to contend with at all times It is the purpose ofthis invention to eliminate this source'of error due to the human element in mixing onecustomers work with that of another, and to this end my invention consists essentially in the use of the system and appurtenances hereinafter described and claimed specifically,-a distinctive feature being thefprovision of electric signal means whereby the non-removal of sorted articles and identifying means is automaticaling sorting operation, as set forth. I

In the accompanying drawings I illustrate a practical embodiment of the essential features of my method and devices for laundry sortation. and manipulation, although I do not limit myself to the identical means shown by way of exemplification, since changesimay ly announced at the. inception of a succeedbe made in minor details, and equivalent me- 11 of-line 6-6, Fig. 3;

v Fig. 7-, is an enlarged sectional detail taken upon plane of line 7-7, Fig. 1;

- 'Fig. 8, is a detail view of one of thepin trays, so called; Fig.- 9, is a sectional detail taken upon plane of line 99, Fig. 1; Fig. 1-0, is a section on line 1010, Fig. 9;

I Fig. 11, is a diagram of the electrical alarm circuit open; and

Fig. 12, a like diagram showing the alarm circuit closed. I My laundry sorting table as considered in a unitary sense, consists essentially of the fol.- lowing combination of elements co-relate'd and functioning substantially in the manner set forth, namely, a medially positioned'platform scale S, on which the receiving and distributing receptacle D, is mounted; a pin tray compartment '1; a tag receptacle A; a

service tray hook H, and netsu' pporting means N, thelatter and the tag receptacle A, and service hook H, being included in a common electric circuit E, in which is interposed a bell e, or equivalent electric signal device. Thus the loops 0, e, e, e, of the electric circuit E, are connected with the net supporting means N, N; the loop 6 with the pin tray service hook H, and the loop 0 with the tag receptacle A. Thus the diagram electric circuit under normal conditions with the laundry table unencumbered, and all the loops open; whereas the diagram Fig. 12, presumes that one or more nets have been left suspended on the supporting means, so that if the contact 6 is closed by the opening of the dome, of the tag receptacle A, the alarm circuit will thereby be completed :through the loops 6, 6, battery 6, and signal device 6; In a similar manner if the loop 0?, is closed by the presence of a pin tray on the service hook H, the opening of the door a, of the tag receptacle A, will complete the circuit and sound the alarm e.

The'tag receptacle A, consists of a box provided with a doorcnrendered self-closing as by hinge and spring connection shown particularly inFig. 10, of the drawings, and also with a fixed contact plate a, and spring contact plate a both of which are connected with Fig. 11, represents the the loop 0 of the electric circuit E, in which the signal device is interposed.

The service tray hook H, shown in detail in Fig. 7, in which it is represented in solid lines as supporting a pin tray t, and in dotted lines as in the position which it assumes normally when unencumbered, is counterpoised as related to its fulcrum 71,,the weight of a pin tray bered and formed with a series of holes for the attachment of safety pins bearing .the same number as the pin tray as indicated in Fig. 8, of the drawings, taken in connection with Fig. 7 ,which, in dotted lines, shows a plurality of trays 2f, suspended on the hook rod t. The self-closing door t prevents acquisition of pins from the trays t, while in the box T. The net supporting means N, N, consist of two sets of parallel rock bars n, n, one set positioned on each side of the distributive receptacle D, on the platform scale S, as will be understood by reference more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, of the drawings,each

rock bar 7%, being pivotally supported at its ends, and each being provided with a series of pins n, n, or equivalent mechanical expedients by means of which nets 91*) may be suspended between'the companion rails n, n, with the mouths of the bags open for the reception of articles as sorted. v

Each rock bar a, is counterpoised, and connected electrically with one terminal of a loop 6, of the alarm circuit E, the other ter minal of said loop 0, being connected with a fixed contact against whicha tongue on the rock bar at, bears when a net 11*, is suspended on the bar, the weight of the net being sulficient to rock the bar so as to close this particular loop 6, of the circuit for the purpose heretofore mentioned.

Primarily the object of the invention is to insure the sounding of the electric alarm prior to the beginning of the sorting of a fresh bundle of laundry in case any portion of the laundry last sorted hasnot been removed in due course'from the table. In other words the first preliminary step of inserting a bundle tag in a prescribed receptacle provided for the purpose completes the electric alarm circuit if said circuit is already closed 1 in part by anyloop in the circuit.v

Hence, the method of procedure as related to my sorting table may be stated to be substantially as follows :The table being free and unobstructed, with electric circuit E, open throughout as in 11, a bundle of laundry to be examined and disposed of is placed in the distributive compartment D, the bundle tag is detached therefrom and placed in the receptacle A, the opening of the door a, without alarm indicating that the sorting of the goods may be safely proceeded with. The bundle is then weighed and suitable note made thereof. The sorter next opens the door If, of'the pin tray compartment T, and removes a tray t, from the hook rod t, transferring said tray t, to the service tray hook H, and thereby closing the loop 6 of the electric alarm circuit E, the operator marking the number of pin tray on the ticketbearing owners name, etc. Nets a, suspended upon and between adjacent parallel rock rods n, n, in sure the closing of one or more of the loops 6, when the sorting can proceed, the articles segregated being placed in their respective nets. The sorting completed, the operator removes pins from the tray t, on the service hook H, and closes the nets with the numbered pins,then transferring the tray 73, from said service hook H, to the dismissal hook 1', shown in Fig. 1. After the removal of the nets and their contents the succeeding bundle of laundry may be proceeded with provided the insertion of its bundle tag into the tag box A, does not result in an alarm signal as heretofore set forth.

Extended observation has laid the mixups in laundry sortation to the following causes, all of which are eliminated by my invention, to wit :The sorter, after sorting one cus .tomers bundle, neglects to remove and pin all the nets for that bundle, leaving one or more behind on the supports and into which he will sort articles from the following customers bundle, and pinning it with the identification of the second customer, thereby mixing the two bundles inextricably, for the. only identification the laundryman has, is of the net and entire contents, not of individual pieces; or the sorter neglects to remove the tray after completion of one customers bundle, and continues to use the pins from the tray, for the following customers bundle, thereby resulting in nets, all of one identifi- ,'cation mark, but containing different custom- ,ers work.

Upon occasions, also, the sorter will find that he will not have enough pins for the number of nets required in an unusually large bundle, in which case, he will remove pins from another full tray, and use these pins to pin the nets. Then, instead of sending the tray with the other tray of the bun- ,dle, he will continue to use pins from this same tray for the work of the following customers bundle thereby resulting in nets of the same identification mark but containin work of different customers.

Obviously'inadvertence and errors of the character mentioned are obviated by my system and apparatus.

- The hinged cover t of the tray supply compartment T, prevents the sorter from-removing pins from a tray at any time except when the tray is placed upon the service hook H, and since said workinghook must be free v of trays at the start of anew bundle, all mixing is eliminated.

If the operator has left neither a tray nor the bundle, the alarm bell will not ring, as the electric circuit is not complete.

What I claim'as my invent1onand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination of an electric alarm circuit, switches in series in said alarm circuit, a net hanging device, and means operable by said net hanging device to close one of said switches substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination of an electric alarm circuit, switches in series in said circuit, a tag receptacle, and means operable by said tag receptacle for closing one of said switches substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

3. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination of an electric alarm circuit, a service tray support, switches in series in said circuit, and means operable by said tray support for closing one of said switches substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

4. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination with an electric alarm circuit having therein switches in series of net hanging devices and a tag receptacle and means operable respectively by said net hanging devices and by said tag receptacle for controlling corresponding switches, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

5. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination with an electric alarm circuit of net hanging devices, a service pin tray support, and switches interposed in said circuit and controlled respectively by said net hanging devices and said service pin tray support substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

6. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination with an electric alarm circuit, of net hanging devices, a tag receptacle having a door, a service pin tray support, switches in parallel operated respectively by said net hanging devices and said service pin tray support, and a switch in series with the aforesaid switches and operable by said door interposed in said circuit.

7. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination with an electric alarm circuit, of counterpoise rock bars pivoted along one side thereof and formed with net hangers, and switches in said electric circuit closed by said bars when functioning as net supports, substantially in the manner and for the purpose 'setforth.

8. In laundry sorting means of the character designated, the combination with an electric alarm circuit of counterpoise rock bars formed with net hangers, switch means actuable by said rock bars when functioning as net supports to close said circuit, a tag receptacle formed with a 'doo'r,-'and' a switch actuable by said door to close said circuit when the door is open, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

9. In laundry sorting means of thecharacter designated, the combination with an electric alarm c1rcu1t, of eounterpoise rock functioning as net supports, a counterpoise service pin tray support; a switoh'in parallel with said switch means and closed by said support when a tray is suspended thereon; atag receptacle "formed with a door; and a switch in series with said switch'means and said switch and arranged to be closed when the door-is open, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

THOBURN G. GLEAVER 

